The AFL has altered its pre-season format, halving the number of official games and reducing travel amid the challenges of COVID-19 restrictions.

The first two rounds of the AFLW season have been reshuffled as the competition works around current border restrictions.

Brisbane forward Cam Rayner has sacrificed time in Victoria with his family as the Lions use last year's AFL preliminary-final loss as motivation for 2021.

Zach Merrett and Andrew McGrath have been included in Essendon's leadership group, with Dyson Heppell to skipper the team again.

The Tasmanian government has put negotiations with North Melbourne and Hawthorn on hold as it seeks a timeline from the AFL for the state's own team.

The future of West Coast goalsneak Willie Rioli hangs in the balance, with a decision on his alleged urine substitution charge to be handed down within weeks.